Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-12
The Hall Gaily Decorated and Fes-
TONED and Members OF the So
ciety Welcomed by II. W.
Webb.
Col Dufiield, Orator OF the Occasion,
Delivered the Address-Speech
by Gen. sherman. theAudi-
ence Eurapporate.
ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND.
Eighteenth Reunion of the Society In
augurated Yesterday.

WASHINGTON, May 1.-THE eighteenth
reunion of the Society Of the Army OF the
Cumberland was inaugurated this morning
at 10 o'clock by business meeting at the
new G. A r. hall, near the corner Of
Pennsylvania avenue and Fifteenth street.
The principal features of the meeting viii
be unvailing the statue Of Gen. James A.
Garfield
The new Grand Army hall where the
business meeting was held this morning
was gaily decorated with banners and flags.
rosetted and festooned mammoth palm
leaves and the insignia of the old army
corps Across the front Of the building on
long white streamer appeared the legend
Welcome, Army of the Cumberland.
At II o'clock the president Of the spcie-
ty. General Sheridan. called the meeting to
order aud explained that the postponement
from time TO time of the eighteenth reun-
ion was due to the delay In the completion
of the Garfield statue, it being the desire
Of the society to conduct the unwilling
ceremonies at this meeting There were
about 100 members of the society present
The reports of the committees were read
and approved The president ANNOUNCED
the membership of the several committees
for the ensuing year and the meeting al
journed.
The election Of officers Of the society
will take place tomorrow morning. Just
before the adjournment General Cist called
attention 10 the movement started In Gin
cinnati 10 erect a monument In memory Of
Gen. III. Little. who lost his life al Chicka-
manga The friends of the movement, he
said. desired that the Society Of the Army
of the Cumberland should nOminally take
charge of the matter They desired TO
have the monument erected under the
auspices Of the society, but not
to have the society undertake
liability for indebtedness. He made q
motion. which prevailed. that a committee
Of five be appointed to consider the matter.
General Sheridan said he would announce
the committee tomorrow.
A letter was read from General Buell.,
dated ut Louisville, expressing bis deep
interest in the society and regret at bis In
ability TO accept the special invitation
rendered him 10 be present. IL was voted
that the society's best wishes for his future
welfare be communicated To Gen. Buell.
Tonight exercises were held Mt the Con
gregatiOnal church General Albert Ord
way, chairman OF the local committee.
made the address If welcome and Rev. q.
NJ Payne offered prayer. District Com
missioner X. T. Webb welcomed the socie-
ty TO Washington and General Phil Sheri-
can made neat reply which was loudly
applauded. Col Henry NJ Dufiield,
orator Of the occasion, then delivered the
Grafton. after which Gen. Sherman de
liyered humorous and character
istics speech, consisting mainly
Of war "reminiscences etc. etc.
He declared there was no use paying aiten-
ton 70 Davis he Il gone. He bad profound
respect for men Of the south who 10 error
rebelled, but returned 20 their allegiance;
but for men wh, concerted. conceived the
attempt to break up the country. over
throw liberty. he had supreme contempt
Said he: when Sherman swept through
Georgia. when Sheridan made Shenandoah
valley desolaie, they meant war. and war
meant barilarism-you cannot hand your
career In war" VIII applause.